Improvement in washing-machines



S. M. SMITH. Washing-Machine.

No. 211,801. Patented Jan. 28, {879 WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY" NFEVERSPH-OTO-UTHOGRAFNER. WASHING'I' ONv D. C.

TAT'E-S PATENT STEPHEN M. SMITH, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211.80 I, dated January28, 1879; application filed August 17, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, STEPHEN M. SMITH, ofYork, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented anew and valuable Improvement in th ashing-Machines; and I do herebydeclare that the following is afull, clear. and exact description of theconstruction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is arepresentation of a longitudinal verticalsection of this invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the swinging rack,showing its tubular bearing. Fig. 3 is an enlarged crosssection throughthe journal devices and tub-wall. Figs. 4:, 5, and 6 are details of thecastings.

This invention has relation to washing-machines having swinging racks orboards.

The nature of the invention consists in the construction and novelarrangement of a washing-machine having an adjustable operatingpitmancoupled at one end to a revolving crank-shaft and fastened at its otherend to a swinging wash-board, which is pivoted at each end to a rackprovided with a bearingtube having notches, in which the nibs of the endof the opposite wash-board are placed, according to requirements.

It also consists in a side rack having a bearin g-tube extending into anopening in the tubwall, in combination with a bearing-plate and itshollow neck adapted to receive a bolt and nut, said bolt being providedwith suitable washers.

It also consists in a side rack having a bearin g-tube and an armprovided on its inside with a pivot, as hereinafter shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, the letterA designates the box or tub ofthe washing machine; B, the adjustable wash-board; and (1, the sideracks having notches 1:,in which the nibs a of the cast ends K of saidwash-board are placed, according to requirement. D represents theopposite wash-board, which is fastened to side arms E, which have eyesI) engaging the pivots or nibs c of the side racks, the latter beingpivoted to the side walls of thetub. The washing is accomplished by themotion of the washboards toward or from each other.

The machine having the general character just referred to was patentedto LeanderBecker June 29, 1878, and it is upon this machine and othersof similar character that my improvements are made, as follows: i

To the middle of the back of the wash-board D is attached, by suitablescrews d, passing through slots 0 of its broad attachment-flange f, apitman, F, which is therefore adjustable, so that the connection betweenthe pitman and the crank-shaft G, and those between the side plates ofthe wash-board, can readily be brought into harmonious action. At itsupper end the pitman is bent somewhat downward or into a nearlyhorizontal position, flanged, and recessed in a transverse semicircularmanner, as shown at h, toform the journal-box, which engages the lowerhalf of the crank-shaft bear ing. At each end this flange has a marginalshoulder or raised rim, '5, forming an end guard for the correspondingend of the journal-cap k, which is let in between said rims and securedto the flange by suitable bolts 1.

In pivoting the side racks in the box, the following construction isemployed: Each rack G is formed with an exterior tubular flange orbearing-tube, n, which extends into an opeir in g or perforation, p,through the tub-wall, to

the exterior surface, or nearly so, but small enough in diameter torotate freely in the opening of the wall. This opening is closed at itsexterior end by a bearing-plate, H, having a hollow neck, 1', whichextends into the bear in g-tubea of the side rack, and forms the journalupon which it works. This hollow neck 1' is chilled in the casting, soas to prevent un due wear. Its aperture or bore is square, and receivesa squared bolt, 8, whereof the head bears against a washer, w, which islet into an annular marginal rabbet at the inner end of the bearing-tubea, and the threaded end is provided with a nut, t, which bears againstthe exterior face of the plate H, and by which the parts are drawntogether. The plate H is secured to the exterior of the tub by suitablescrews, and it has an annular rib, a, on its interior surface, whichengages with the wood" of the tub and makes a tight joint. For furthersecurity under the nut t, a rubber washer, w, is'usually employed.

The improved parts referred to are castings of the general form shown inthe drawings. As already observed, the hollow necks of thebearing-plates are chilled. So, also, the pivots or nibs c of the armsof the side racks are chilled, as well as the nibs a of the ends K ofthe wash-board B, which is supported between the side racks by theengagement of said nibs a in the notches thereof.

Having described my improvements, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. The washinglnachine having an adjustable operating-pitman coupled atone end to a revolving crank-shaft, G, fastened at its other end to aswinging wash-board, D, which is pivoted at each end to a rack, 0,provided with a 2 anmeon bearing-tube, n, and having the notches v, inwhich the nibs a of the end K of the washboard B are placed, accordingto requirement, substantially as specified.

2. The side rack having the bearing-tube n extending into an opening inthe tub-wall, in combination with the bearing-plate H, its hollow neck1', the washers -'w w, and the connecting bolt and nut, substantially asspecified.

3. The side rack 0, having the bearing-tube n, and an arm provided onits inside with a pivot, a, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN M. SMITH. YVitnesses:

SOLOMON MYERS, MosEs ELIOKER.

